Post support

Abstract

A post and ground support is illustrated utilizing a helical member forming an auger for digging the ground support into the earth, and easily removing the ground support from the ground and re-using said support in another location. The ground support includes a ground engaging stabilizing member affording resistance to a force having a component at right angles to the post, and a breakaway connection is provided between the ground support member and the post, together with a connection for retaining the post in a position near the ground support after separation therefrom. The breakaway connection positions the post upon the ground support above the ground and separates in response to a force coming from any direction about the post.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A breakaway device for mounting an upright post upon a ground support carried within the earth comprising: a first abutment carried by said ground support at an upper end thereof having an opening therein in alignment with said ground support;   a separate second abutment carried by said post at a lower end thereof having an opening therein in alignment with said post;   said first and second abutments having respective upper and lower surfaces carried in opposed relation;   said first and second abutments each having a bearing surface remote from respective upper and lower surfaces;   a shank member carrying a bearing member adjacent each end in bearing relation with respective bearing surfaces drawing said abutments toward each other; and   said shank member consisting essentially of a single shear pin thereby joining said post and said ground support which may be sheared away in response to a force having a right angled component applied to the post from any direction thereabout.   
     
     
       2. For use in mounting an upright post upon a ground support, a breakaway device comprising: breakaway means mounting said post upon said ground support including a single shear pin having an elongated vertical shank;   means for positioning said shear pin between said upright post and said ground support affording substantially the same resistance to a force from any direction;   a flexible cable means external to said breakaway means attached adjacent one end to said ground support and adjacent the other end to said post; and   said flexible cable means having a length for providing slack sufficient to avoid loading until shearing has occurred as a result of a force from any direction affording substantially the same resistance to said force in all directions to permit the post upon being broken away and separated from said ground support to lay upon the ground, but restraining said post from separation from the ground support beyond a predetermined distance.   
     
     
       3. The structure set forth in claim 1 including threadable means urging said abutments toward each other. 
     
     
       4. An upright support comprising: an elongated rod;   a ground engaging stabilizing member including a vertical circumferential wall open at a bottom portion extending outwardly of said elongated rod carried by said elongated rod affording resistance to a force having a component at right angles to said rod when embedded in the ground;   means bracing said wall and connecting same adjacent a top thereof adjacent an upper portion of said rod; and   a helical cutting edge carried by a lower portion of said vertical circumferential wall and in vertical alignment therewith.   
     
     
       5. The structure set forth in claim 4 including a helical member having a helical cutting edge carried at one end of the rod forming an auger. 
     
     
       6. The structure set forth in claim 4 including; a post;   breakaway means connecting said post to said rod above said stabilizing member; and   said breakaway means including a single shear pin which may be broken away in response to said force having a right angled component applied to the post from any direction thereabout.